Heart scarring and fat in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Myocardial Fibrosis and Steatosis Burden and Region-Specific Predictors of Progression among ART-treated Women with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa (The MUTIMA Study)
This project uses advanced heart imaging to look for scarring and fat inside the hearts of women living with HIV on treatment in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11387984 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will enroll women with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral therapy at sites in sub‑Saharan Africa and perform cardiac MRI and spectroscopy to measure myocardial fibrosis and steatosis. They will collect blood tests and clinical information and repeat imaging over time to track how heart tissue changes. The team will study links between inflammation, metabolic factors like obesity, reproductive aging, and progression of heart scarring or fat. Findings will be compared to measures of heart function and clinical events to identify patterns that could guide prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in sub‑Saharan Africa who can attend participating imaging centers are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Men, people without HIV, or individuals who live outside the participating sites in sub‑Saharan Africa are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help spot women with HIV who are at higher risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac death so they can get earlier monitoring or preventive care.
How similar studies have performed: Cardiac MRI and spectroscopy have previously linked myocardial fibrosis and steatosis to worse heart function and outcomes in other groups and in people with HIV elsewhere, but this is one of the first efforts focused on ART‑treated women in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longenecker, Chris Todd — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Longenecker, Chris Todd
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.